now him."

"And probably never will, Harold, I am sorry to say," said Lady Splay
triumphantly. "Mr. Rogers was in heaven many years ago." She suddenly
changed her note and began to implore. "Oh, do be pleasant, you and
Dennis!"

Harold Jupp's mouth began to twitch, but he composed it again, with an
effort, to the stern lines befitting the occasion.

"I'll tell you what I think, Lady Splay," said he, pronouncing judgment.
"Your new guest's a Plater."

The dreadful expected word was spoken. Lady Splay broke into appeals,
denials, threats. "Oh, he isn't, he isn't!" She turned to her husband.
"Chichester, exert your authority! He's not a Plater really. He's not
right down the course. And even if he were, they've got to be polite to
him."

Sir Chichester, however, was the last man who could be lured into the
expression of a definite opinion.

"My dear, I never interfere in the arrangements of the house. You have
your realm. I have mine. I am sure those papers are being kept in the
servants' hall," and he left the room hurriedly.

"Oh, how mean men are!" cried Millie; and they all began to laugh.

Lady Splay saw a glimpse of hope in their laughter and became much more
cheerful.

"As you are not racing, dear," she said to Joan, "he will be quite a
pleasant companion for you."

Sir Chichester returned with the evening papers. Dennis and Miranda and
Harold Jupp rose to go upstairs and change into flannels; and suddenly,
a good hour before his time, Harper, the butler, announced:

"Mr. Albany Todd."

Mr. Albany Todd was a stout, consequential personage, and ovoid in
appearance. Thin legs broadened out to very wide hips, and from the hips
he curved in again to a bald and shiny head, which in its turn curved
inwards to a high, narrow crown. Lady Splay casting a look of appeal
towards her refractory young guests hurried forward to meet him.

"This is my husband." She presented him to the others. "I was going to
send the motor-car to meet the seven o'clock train."

"Oh, thank you, Lady Splay," Mr. Albany Todd returned in a booming
voice. "I have been staying not more than twenty miles from here, with a
dear old friend, a rare and inestimable being, Lord Bilberry, and he was
kind enough to send me in."

"What, old man Bilberry," cried Harold Jupp. "Isn't he balmy?"

"Balmy, sir?" Mr. Todd asked in surprise. "He takes the air every
morning, if that is what you mean." He turned again to Lady Splay. "He
keeps the mos